Purpose: The following syllabus is designed to introduce students to public policymaking at the national level of government. As designed, this course has the following goals associated with the process, issues, and institutions of national policymaking:

1. 1. Acquaint students with the political dynamics of the policy process— with particular focus on policy networks: those persons from the departments or agencies, members of Congress and their staff, and interest groups who interact on specific policy issues.

2. 2. Introduce the complexities of the specific policy issues that form the national agenda (e.g., trade, agriculture, welfare, taxes).

3. 3. Emphasize the importance of political institutions and their formal procedures—with particular stress on the budget process and presidential agenda setting.